cut body from plastic
 

Hey guys, so I am wanting to paint my new RC8B3 body today, but instead of cutting the body out the way I have been doing it.

I thought I would ask for some advice on how to get a clean cut, are there special tools for this, or should I do my scissors/dremmel tool way?

Best,

Scissors are the worst way if you want clean edges imo.

The best way is to score it with a razor, then snap all the extra off.

I always start with a nice sharp utility knife or exacto blade and go over it real carefully, then go over it once again as some of the spots will need to be a little deeper to get them to break cleanly.

Then just clean up the wheel wells and corners with a sanding drum and that's about it.

Nailed it!!

There are 3 things I hate about this hobby. Breaking in engines, gluing tires, and prepping, painting and finishing bodies. I got the gluing down. I pay people to do my engine break-ins, and I try to buy pre cut bodies every chance I get and pay someone to paint them ( probably why I run the same body for 3-4 years).

The last 2 major ones I did were SC bodies from AE. There is SOOOO much trimming that has to be done on them, I thought it was going to take forever. A buddy of mine explained this to me and I gave it a shot. OMFG it was one of the easiest body jobs I ever did and came out dang near perfect.

I used a semi dull knife blade (X-acto) to score the lines nice and light. Then went over it with a sharp knife 2 more times. The pieces just popped right off. Nice, smooth even lines all the way around.

Now when you get to engine and fuel tank holes, you can use a marker to draw out where the holes will be and use a body reamer to make pilot holes for your dremmel tool/ sanding drum...

Good luck.

Yea the razor has never really worked good for me. I can never get it deep enough, and if I try I end up scratching the body or worst, cutting myself :eek:

You really aren't supposed to do it in one pass anyway. Nice, easy and smooth the first time or 2. This is just to mark the lines for your next couple of passes with the knife. Then a little pressure to make the final couple cuts.

That's why I use a semi dull blade on my first 2 passes. Then switch to brand new blade after the lines are scored into the polycarb.

that's too much hard work. lol. i just cut out body with scissors and the go over the edges with a sanding drum. except the engine and tank holes. those i use a reamer first then sanding drum.

Curved lean scissors and a sanding drum here too.

Me to. Tried the scoring method once and I couldn't get it to work effectively. Also was scared of tearing into the actual body.

I use a big pair of tin snips to do the straight stuff, then curved scissors to cut the curves, then use a sand bit on a dremel to clean the curves up, same with engine hole, curved scissors for general shape, dremel to make it pretty